Shaker bottle with magnetic elements for temporary securement to exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

A protein shaker bottle or similar beverage container that has one or more magnets on its outer surface. The magnets allow for the shaker bottle to magnetically adhere to a metallic or ferrous surface. The inventive bottle allows a user to quickly and temporarily adhere the bottle to a piece of gym equipment on a gym floor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. Ser. No.62/117,100, filed on Feb. 17, 2015, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of beverage containers, morespecifically to a protein shaker bottle having a magnets on it bodyallowing for temporary securement to exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

Protein shaker bottles or blender bottles have gained widespread use ingyms, fitness clubs and similar venues. Many gym goers carry theirshaker bottles on the gym floor so that they may readily consume aprotein-rich beverage during or after a workout session. Shaker bottlesare typically quite large, often cumbersome and it can be a nuisance totemporarily place them down while working on a particular exercisemachine or similar equipment.

There is, therefore, a need in the art for a shaker bottle that isconfigured for easy temporary storage in various areas of a gym floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention set forth herein is a shaker bottle that has one or moremagnets on its outer surface—thereby allowing for a temporary magneticattachment to a piece of gym equipment. A user, thus, need onlytemporarily attach the shaker to a piece of gym equipment, allowing forfast and convenient stowage of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear, perspective view of a shaker bottle according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear, elevational view of a shaker bottle according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the plane denoted byline 29 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 a rear, perspective view of a shaker bottle having a removablebottom cap according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a elevational view of the shaker bottle according of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the FIGS. 1-5. However, the drawings and the descriptionherein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. It will be understood that various modifications of thepresent description of the invention are possible without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Also, features or steps described hereinmay be omitted, additional steps or features may be included, and/orfeatures or steps described herein may be combined in a manner differentfrom the specific combinations recited herein without departing from thespirit of the invention, all as understood by those of skill in the art.

FIG. 1 shows a shaker bottle according to an embodiment of theinvention. The shaker bottle 10 is substantially sized and shaped like aconventional shaker bottle, having a generally cylindrical container 12and a top cover member 14. Container 12 which is the well portion of thebottle has an interior cavity for holding beverages or other fluids andan outer surface 16. As best shown in FIG. 3, mating threads 18 providedon upper lip 20 of container 12 mate with corresponding threads on cover14 in order to selectively attach cover 14 to container 12.

As best shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the invention, cylindricalcontainer 12 has a tapered or inclined external surface 16. That is,upper lip 20 of container 12 has a greater circumference than that ofbottom surface 22 of container 12. As such, the outer panels of shaker10 slope inwardly as they descend from lip 20 to floor surface 22.(“Bottom surface” or “floor surface” refer to the bottom plate orsurface of container 12, which has an inner and outer surface. The innersurface serves as the bottom of the cup interior and the outer surfacerests on a flat surface such as a table or floor).

In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, one or moremagnets 24 a, 24 b are affixed to the external surface 16 of container12. Magnets 24 a, 24 b are used to temporarily attach the shaker bottle10 to a metallic structure such as a piece of gym equipment. (Note thatthe description herein refers to different sides or directions withrespect to the cylindrical container 12. The side having magnets 24 a,24 b affixed to it is referred to as “rear,” whereas, the sidediametrically opposed thereto is referred to as the “front.” The side tothe right of the front side, which bridges the rear surface is referredto as the “right” side. The side to the left of the front side, whichbridges the rear surface is referred to as the “left” side. Each “side,”is approximately a 90° curved perimeter area of external surface 16 ofcontainer 12. Each “side” may be interchangeably referred to as a“panel,” “surface,” or “wall,” or “sidewall.”)

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of rear panel 16 a of container 12. Asshown, an attachment appendage 26 projects laterally from the surfacethereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of shaker bottle 10 taken through theplane indicated by line 29 in FIG. 2. Rear panel 16 a and opposing frontpanel 16 c are shown in cross-section, whereas, the internal wallsurface of left-side panel 16 b is shown. As shown, attachment appendage26 projects laterally from the outer surface of rear panel 16 a.

Attachment appendage 26 is formed integrally with, or attached to, rearpanel 16 a of container 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, appendage26 is a projection or similar surface that juts out from rear panel 16a. Appendage has an upper wall 28, a lower wall 30 and sidewalls 32, 34(sidewalls 32, 34 best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)—each extending laterallyfrom rear panel 16 a. Upper, lower and sidewalls 28, 30, 32, 34terminate in a platform 35 (see e.g. FIG. 1). Platform 35 is a flatsurface disposed substantially orthogonally to walls 28, 30, 32, 34. Ina preferred embodiment of the invention, appendage is a blow-moldedthickening of a wall area disposed approximately midway between cup lip20 and lower surface 22 of rear panel 16 a.

One or more magnets 24 a, 24 b are affixed to or positioned inattachment appendage 26. For example, one or more recesses or slots areprovided on appendage 26 to correspondingly accommodate one or moremagnets. With reference to FIG. 3, an upper slot 36 a and a lower slot36 b are shown, which correspondingly accommodate an upper magnet 24 aand a lower magnet 24 b. In the embodiment shown, slots 36 a, 36 b aresubstantially circular recesses made in the thickness of appendage 26.Slots 36 a, 36 b are substantially sized and shaped to receivedisc-shaped magnets 24 a, 24 b. For example, recess 36 a is shown havinga floor surface 38 and surrounding walls 40. Each correspondingdisc-shaped magnet (e.g. 24 a) has a circular front face 42 a, a rearface 42 b and an annular edge 44 bridging the front and rear faces.Annular edge 44 is substantially orthogonal to front face 42 a and rearface 42 b—defining the thickness of the magnet 24 a.

As shown, rear face 42 b of a magnet (e.g. 24 a) is inserted in contactwith floor surface 38 of a slot (e.g. 36 a). In one embodiment,surrounding walls 40 of slot 36 a capture annular edge 44 of magnet 24 aand maintain the same in place. Slots 36 a, 36 b have a depth that issubstantially equal to the thickness of magnets 24 a, 24 b (i.e. thedepth of surrounding walls 40 of slots 36 a, 36 b are substantiallyequal to the thickness of annular edge 44). As such, outward directedfront faces 42 a (best shown in FIG. 1) of magnets 24 a, 24 b aresubstantially coplanar with platform 35 of appendage 26. Magnets 24 a,24 b and coplanar platform 35 form a substantially planar contactsurface that interfaces with a metallic segment of a piece of exerciseequipment.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that frontfaces 42 a of magnets 24 a, 24 b need not be coplanar with platform 35of appendage 26. In one embodiment of the invention, magnets 24 a, 24 bextend past platform 35, such that only magnets contact a metallicstructure. Still in other embodiments, slots 36 a, 36 b may have a depththat is slightly greater than the thickness of a magnet, such that oneor more magnets are recessed with respect to platform 35.

Magnets 24 a, 24 b may be glued into a slots or secured therein by wayof a tight frictional grip. In either case, in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, magnets 24 a, 24 b are covered or coated in a protectivematerial (such as plastic of the like) to protect the same duringwashing and cleaning.

As best shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the invention, attachmentappendage 26 projects from rear panel 16 a of shaker bottle 10 in anoffset manner so as to ensure that front faces 42 a of magnets 24 a, 24b are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaker bottle10 (longitudinal axis indicated by dotted line 41). That is, as stated,rear panel 16 a slopes inward (i.e. toward the direction of thelongitudinal axis of shaker 10) from cup lip 20 to the lower surface 22of container 12. In a preferred embodiment, contact surfaces (i.e. frontfaces 42 a) of magnets 24 a, 24 b occupy a plane that is at an acuteangle from panel 16 a. Preferably, the plane occupied by contactsurfaces of magnets 24 a, 24 b is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of shaker 10. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention,lower wall 30 of appendage 26 extends farther in a lateral directionthan upper wall 28 thereof. In this embodiment, the thickness of sidewalls 32, 34 of appendage 26 gradually increase as they descend fromupper wall 28 to lower wall 30.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that magnetsof any of various sizes and shapes are within the teaching of theinvention, and two circular magnets are exemplary.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more magnets used toattach shaker 10 to a piece of exercise equipment have a longitudinalaspect. That is, in a preferred embodiment, in order to securely affix ashaker bottle 10 to a metallic surface, and to minimize side-to-sidemovement, two magnets arranged in a longitudinal plane are utilized. Insuch arrangement there are at least two contact points at which magneticpulling force is applied (i.e. an upper and a lower contact point).Magnets arranged in a longitudinal plane or arranged where one issituated above of the other may be referred to as magnets having a“longitudinal aspect” herein. As a result of the longitudinal aspect,pulling force is applied in an upper region and a lower region.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in one embodiment of the invention,a first upper magnet 24 a is positioned above of a second lower magnet24 b (“upper” refers to the direction toward cover 14, whereas, “lower”refers to the direction toward lower surface 22 of container 12). Uppermagnet 24 a applies pulling force in an upper region, whereas, lowermagnet 24 b applies pulling force in a longitudinal region belowthereof. In other embodiments of the invention, more or less than twomagnets may be used. For example, three or more magnets may be providedsubstantially in a straight line. Alternatively, three magnets in“triangle” formation (e.g. two upper magnets and one lower magnet—orvice versa) may be provided. Alternatively, a single elongated magnethaving a longitudinal aspect may be used. Still, in other embodiments ofthe invention, two parallel strips or groups of magnets, where each ofthe strips or groups have a longitudinal aspect may be used inembodiments of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, attachment appendage 26 is positioned on rearpanel 16 a, substantially halfway between cup lip 20 and lower surface22. It will be understood, however, that alternative placements ofappendage 26 are possible—all of which are within the teaching of theinvention.

In use, a user aligns magnets 24 a, 24 b with a metallic or ferricstructure, and then places the magnets in contact therewith. The shakercup 10 will, thus, adhere to the structure by magnetic attractiongenerated by one or more magnets on its outer surface. For example,bottle 10 may be attached to any of various arms, support bars orsimilar structures on exercise machines in a gym. This allows a user tosimply approach a piece of equipment, easily attach the shaker theretoand proceed to exercise without worrying that the shaker may be atripping hazard or in somebody's way. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that one or more magnets mounted to the shaker10 will exert (or combine to exert) magnetic attraction of sufficientforce to securely, yet temporarily, adhere a shaker bottle that is fullof fluid to a metallic or ferric structure.

In one embodiment of the invention, each magnet 24 a, 24 b exertsbetween 2-8 pounds of pulling force. In other embodiments, each magnetexerts between 3-6 pounds of pulling force. In yet other embodiments, asingle magnet having a longitudinal aspect exerts between 5-12 pounds ofpulling force. It will be understood that the pulling force ranges areexemplary and forces that are more or less than the recited ranges arepossible in different embodiments of the invention. Note that where anumerical range is provided herein for any parameter, it is understoodthat all numerical subsets of that numerical range, and all theindividual integer values contained therein, are provided as part of theinvention.

In a preferred embodiment, a series of indentations, flutes or similargrooves 46 are made in the exterior surface of container 12. Grooves 46,which are roughly sized and shaped to receive average-sized fingers areprovided on the side panels (e.g. left side panel 16 b and diametricallyopposed right panel) of the container 12. In a preferred embodiment, aseries of substantially parallel grooves 46 span at least a portion ofthe side panels of the shaker 10. Grooves 46 are substantially parallelto the bottom surface 22 of shaker, and in an embodiment, at least oneor more grooves are positioned at the same height as appendage 26 or asegment thereof. In one embodiment, grooves 46 extend somewhat into rearpanel 16 a. For example, FIG. 2 shows a series of grooves 46 terminatingon rear panel 16 a. As such, when the shaker 10 is secured to a ferricelement with its rear panel 16 a magnetically adhered thereto—a userapproaching from the front of the shaker may grip the bottle byinserting his/her fingers into grooves 46 and pulling the shaker 10 off(thereby releasing the magnetic grip).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shaker 10 is configured suchthat when cover 14 is fastened thereto, the spout 48 substantiallyaligns with front panel 16 c and is diametrically opposed from rearpanel 16 a. In one embodiment, respective threads on the container 12and cover 14 are positioned in a manner such that when cover is rotatedto attach to container 12—rotation terminates when spout 48 issubstantially in line with the front panel 16 c of shaker 10. As such,when a user pulls shaker 10 off of a piece of equipment, it will bepositioned in his/her hand with spout 48 in the proper orientation fordrinking.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment of the invention, aremovable bottom cap 50 is provided as a bottom surface of the shaker11. In this embodiment, container 58 is formed of a cylindrical bodysegment 56 and a bottom cap 50. Bottom cap 50 is a substantiallydisc-shaped cap that has a floor or bottom surface 52 and surroundingwalls 54. A series of threads on the inside surface of surrounding walls54 (not shown) mate with corresponding threads on the bottom of thecylindrical body 56 segment. Cap 50 is thereby attachable to the bottomof the cylindrical body 56 (e.g. by rotation of one with respect to theother)—forming the bottom or floor thereof. As such, a user may simplyunscrew cap 50 in order to adequately clean the inside bottom of thebottle. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art thatany of various attachment mechanisms may be utilized to attach a bottomcap, such as a tight frictional engagement or the like.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5, the bottom segment of thecontainer is sized and shaped to fit into a standard cup-holder invehicles such as cars.

Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, itis to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitationsince further modifications and variations may be apparent or maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that thepresent application cover all such modifications and variations. Thatis, although described with respect to specific embodiments, theinvention relates to any of various shaker bottle configurations thatmagnetically adhere to a metallic structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bottle, comprising: a container portioncomprising: an upper lip; a floor surface; a plurality of panels thatlongitudinally connect the upper lip to the floor surface, the pluralityof panels comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel,and a second side panel, the plurality of panels sloping inwardly asthey descend from the upper lip to the floor surface when the bottle isin an upright position; a projection portion extending from the rearpanel, the projection portion comprising: a top wall extending laterallyfrom the rear panel at a first distance from the upper lip, and a bottomwall extending laterally from the rear panel at a second distance fromthe floor surface, wherein the bottom wall extends farther in a lateraldirection than the top wall, the top and bottom walls of the projectionportion terminate in a substantially flat platform; the flat platformbeing at an angle to the rear panel and substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the bottle; and one or more magnets disposed on theplatform, wherein the one or more magnets include a front face which issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle.
 2. Thebottle of claim 1, further comprising one or more slots in the platformthat receives the one or more magnets.
 3. The bottle of claim 2, whereinthe one or more slots is one or more recessed areas.
 4. The bottle ofclaim 2, further comprising two slots and a magnet seated in each slot.5. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets aredisc-shaped.
 6. The bottle of claim 1, comprising at least a first uppermagnet and a second lower magnet.
 7. The bottle of claim 6, wherein thefirst upper magnet is disposed substantially directly above of thesecond lower magnet when the bottle is in an upright position.
 8. Thebottle of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets and platform aresubstantially coplanar.
 9. The bottle of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof panels that connect the upper lip to the floor surface slopes as itdescend from lip to floor surface.
 10. The bottle of claim 1, whereinthe platform of the projection portion is substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the bottle.
 11. The bottle of claim 1, whereby theprojection portion is substantially diametrically opposed to the frontpanel.
 12. The bottle of claim 1, further comprising a series of groovesprovided on the first side panel and the second side panel.
 13. Thebottle of claim 12, wherein the series of grooves is orientedsubstantially parallel to the floor surface of the container portion.14. The bottle of claim 11, further comprising a cover that has a spout,and wherein the spout is substantially aligned with the front panel. 15.The bottle of claim 1, wherein the projection portion is positionedsubstantially halfway between the upper lip and the floor surface.